Your EpiPen Abroad: Brand Names, Customs, and Refills

EpiPen is sold under different brand names in different countries. Refilling abroad usually means a new local prescription — and sometimes the local brand is out of stock.

Your EpiPen abroad: what you need to know

The brand name "EpiPen" is owned and distributed by Viatris, the company formed by the 2020 merger of Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn division. It is sold under that name in the United States, Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe, but several other epinephrine auto-injector brands exist worldwide. Walk into a pharmacy in Germany, Japan, or Brazil asking for an EpiPen and the pharmacist may not recognise the brand name, not because they do not stock epinephrine auto-injectors, but because the product they carry is sold under a different name.

This brand-name gap is the single biggest practical risk for travellers carrying epinephrine auto-injectors. Customs paperwork and refill logistics come second, but they amplify the problem if you arrive underprepared.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general travel health information and does not constitute medical advice. Regulations, drug availability, and supply status change. Consult your allergist or prescribing doctor before travelling and verify current import rules with the destination country's medicines regulator.

The brand-name problem, country by country

Epinephrine auto-injectors are sold under several major brand names worldwide. Jext is widely available across Europe alongside EpiPen, while Emerade was discontinued in the UK in February 2026 after repeated recalls^[1]. Anapen is registered in Australia and several European countries, though Australian supply has been constrained since mid-2025; New Zealand currently has only EpiPen approved. Allerject (the Canadian version of Auvi-Q, relaunched there in 2020) uses a voice-guided design found nowhere else. None of these devices are interchangeable in name at a pharmacy counter.

The active ingredient is the same: epinephrine (adrenaline) 0.3 mg for adults^[2], and 0.15 mg for children, delivered by auto-injector. But dose increments, needle lengths, and device mechanics differ between brands. Switching mid-trip without instruction is not recommended.

Before you travel, look up the brand name used in your destination country. Your prescribing doctor, a travel clinic, or the national drug regulator's website will have this information. Write the generic name "epinephrine auto-injector" on every document you carry.

Customs paperwork: what you actually need

Epinephrine is not a controlled substance under international treaty, so it does not face the same customs barriers as opioids or stimulants. Most countries permit travellers to carry a personal supply provided the medication is in its original packaging with the pharmacy label^[3] matching your name. Two devices per person is a common baseline for travel.

The documents that prevent delays at customs or airport security are: a signed letter from your prescribing doctor (paper or PDF), your original prescription, and the pharmacy dispensing label on the device. Ask your doctor to include your diagnosis, the generic drug name (epinephrine), the dose, and the intended duration of your trip.

For air travel, IATA guidance permits auto-injectors in carry-on baggage^[4] as a medical necessity. Keep them in your carry-on bag at all times. Hold baggage is subject to temperature extremes that can degrade the medication. The device does not count as a prohibited sharp when declared as medical equipment.

Some countries require a translated copy of your prescription. Japan is a notable case: non-Japanese documentation may be requested for review even for non-controlled medicines. If your trip exceeds 30 days, Japan's Ministry of Health requires a Yunyu Kakunin-sho import certificate for quantities above one month's supply.

Storage and heat: the silent risk

Epinephrine degrades when exposed to heat, light, or freezing. The recommended storage range is 15 to 30 degrees Celsius^[5]. A beach bag left in direct sun in Thailand or a hire car parked in a Dubai car park can exceed that within minutes.

Degraded epinephrine turns brown or shows visible particles. Check the inspection window on your device each morning in hot climates. An insulated case such as a Frio wallet or similar evaporative cooler can extend safe storage without refrigeration.

What to do when you cannot get a refill

In most countries, auto-injectors require a local prescription, even if you arrive with a valid prescription from your home country. Prescription transfers between national systems are not automatic anywhere.

Because epinephrine auto-injectors are not classified as a controlled substance in most jurisdictions, a local general practitioner can usually prescribe the equivalent local brand. Bring your original prescription and doctor’s letter as supporting documents. Private consultations in Europe typically cost €50 to €120; in South-East Asia, private GP fees typically start around USD 15 to 30.

In countries with a public healthcare system, your access as a visitor depends on bilateral agreements. EU and EEA residents can use the EHIC or GHIC to access emergency care in most EU countries at reduced or no cost, but routine prescriptions for pre-existing conditions often fall outside that coverage.

In some countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, dispensing a prescription medication to a foreign visitor requires the patient to be seen by a licensed local physician first. Budget half a day for this process if you need an emergency replacement.

When the local device is genuinely unavailable

Supply shortages of epinephrine auto-injectors are documented and recurrent. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued multiple shortage notices and recalls for Emerade between 2019 and 2024 before the brand was discontinued in the UK in February 2026, leaving EpiPen and Jext as the available devices in UK pharmacies^[6]. Similar disruptions have occurred in Australia for Anapen, with Anapen 500 supply constrained from July 2025. Check the regulator’s website for your destination country before departure.

If the auto-injector device is unavailable locally, a hospital emergency department can administer intramuscular epinephrine using standard syringes. This is not a self-management option, but it is a fallback if you are already in a facility during a reaction. Get to an emergency department and inform staff that you have a severe allergy.

A nasal epinephrine spray is now an alternative to auto-injectors in some markets. It is sold as neffy in the United States, approved by the FDA in August 2024, and as EURneffy across the EU, the UK, and Australia under approvals granted between 2024 and 2026^[7]. The active ingredient is the same as in an auto-injector; the delivery is a single nasal spray rather than an injection.

Availability is still limited and the lower 1 mg dose for children weighing 15 to 30 kg remained under review in the EU and UK as of early 2026. If you rely on this device, confirm it is registered in your destination before travelling. The fact that the same product is sold as neffy in one region and EURneffy in another is itself a reminder of why writing the generic drug name on your travel documents matters.

A practical checklist before you fly

Carry at least two devices. One in your carry-on bag, one accessible on your person or in a day bag. Many allergists recommend three for trips longer than two weeks.

Look up the brand name in your destination country before departure. Write both the generic name (epinephrine auto-injector) and the local brand name on a card you keep with the device.

Obtain a signed doctor’s letter in English (paper or PDF, translated if required). Include your name, diagnosis, the generic drug name, dose, and trip dates.

Check supply status at your destination. The national medicines regulator or patient allergy organisations such as Anaphylaxis UK or ASCIA (Australia) publish shortage notices.

Confirm your travel insurance covers anaphylaxis treatment. Some policies exclude pre-existing allergy conditions unless declared at purchase. Read the exclusions section, not just the summary.

Review medication import rules for your destination, particularly if you are travelling to Japan, the UAE, or Saudi Arabia, where documentation requirements are stricter than in most other countries.

Why your medical record matters as much as the device

A local emergency physician who cannot read your prescription does not know your allergy history, your prior reactions, or whether you have already used one device. An International Patient Summary (IPS) structured to the HL7 FHIR standard carries your allergy list, current medications, and emergency contacts in a format adopted across the EU and increasingly supported by major electronic health record vendors worldwide.

Nomedic lets you generate an IPS you can share with any emergency department, carry on your phone, and update when your prescription changes. If you carry an auto-injector for a severe allergy, this is strongly recommended preparation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my EpiPen on a plane?

Yes. IATA guidelines permit epinephrine auto-injectors in carry-on baggage as a declared medical necessity. Keep the device in its original packaging with the pharmacy label, and carry a doctor's letter confirming the prescription.

What is EpiPen called in Europe?

The main brands in Europe are Emerade, Jext, and Anapen, depending on the country. All contain epinephrine but differ in device design and dosing steps. Ask for an epinephrine auto-injector by generic name if the pharmacist does not recognise EpiPen.

What should I do if my EpiPen expires or runs out abroad?

See a private or public GP who can prescribe the local equivalent brand. Bring your original prescription and doctor's letter. In an active allergic emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department regardless of availability.

How should I store my EpiPen in hot climates?

Store the device between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, away from direct sunlight. Use an insulated medication wallet such as a Frio pouch in hot climates. Check the inspection window daily; discolouration or particles indicate degradation.

Do I need special paperwork for countries like Japan or the UAE?

Japan requires a Yunyu Kakunin-sho import certificate if you bring more than one month's supply. The UAE requires documentation from your prescribing physician. A signed doctor's letter on headed paper plus your original prescription covers most destinations.

Does travel insurance cover EpiPen replacement abroad?

Coverage varies by policy. Many policies cover emergency anaphylaxis treatment but exclude routine replacement of pre-existing medications. Check the exclusions section of your policy before travel and declare your allergy at purchase.